Sister Clark supports BYU-I as First Lady

To some she may be known as the music coordinator from the ward, to some she’s known as ‘Mom’ or ‘Grandma,’ but for students on campus, Sue Clark is known as the First Lady of BYU-Idaho.

She has stood by the side of her husband, Kim B. Clark, in their marriage and in his responsibility as the fifteenth president of the university.

Sister Clark was reared in a small town called Waterflow in New Mexico and went on to earn a degree in child development and family relations from Brigham Young University. She grew to love teaching children and wanted to earn her teaching credentials.

However, her plans were changed after meeting and marrying President Clark.

Now, if given the chance to study at BYU-I, she said she would love to be certified to teach and to learn about nutritional science.

After living in Boston for 34 years, where they reared their seven children, they accepted the call from President Gordon B. Hinckley, then the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, to fill the vacancy created when Elder David A. Bednar, then President of BYU-I, was called to be an Apostle.

Though they had many friends and ties in Boston, they were excited and anxious to begin their new life in Rexburg.

“It just felt like the right time, so it wasn’t like we were sad to leave Boston,” Sister Clark said. “We were ready to go. And when we were landing in Idaho Falls the first time we came, I looked down and watched as we landed, and I said, ‘Kim, this feels like I’m coming home.’ And so really that was a tender feeling, a tender mercy, to have that attitude.”

Since becoming the First Lady of BYU-I seven years ago, Sister Clark has served with two women’s councils, a women’s committee and hosts the Fireside for Women in February. These involvements are in addition to supporting President Clark in his daily responsibilities.

“When he [President Clark] does a Q&A, I’m always there because I want to learn as much as I can about what he does … And frankly, we have both felt like it’s important for us to serve here together,” Sister Clark said.

By being informed about programs, issues and decisions regarding the university, Sister Clark is able to assist her husband with her input.

“If he has a big decision to make, he’ll often counsel with me, and so that’s nice,” Sister Clark said.

Another opportunity she has is to speak at devotional with her husband at the beginning of every semester.

Sister Clark explained how she enjoys interacting with the students of BYU-I as much as possible.

“I would love to be able to walk across campus and have eye contact and a verbal ‘hello’ with every student that I come in contact with,” Sister Clark said.

Sister Clark said that too many students are connected to the technology in their hands as they walk across campus. Because of this, they don’t always have interactions with other students or faculty that pass by them. Sister Clark said this saddens her.

Her biggest hope for young adults in the Church is that they will let go of the world and focus on becoming disciples of the Savior.

When their service at BYU-I ends, the Clarks desire to serve missions and continue to serve the Church and the Lord.